Hinge assembly for connecting two vehicle parts to a vehicle with articulated frame steering

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge assembly for connecting two vehicle parts to a vehicle that is capable of crab steering, has articulated frame steering and comprises articulating vehicle axles. Four structural elements are connected to each other by four hinge connections, the hinge centers being arranged in a common plane in a basic state, such that they form a frame which is substantially rigid with respect to thrust forces in that plane. Two of the structural elements forming opposite sides of the frame can in each case be rotated about a rotational axis located in said plane with respect to the other three structural elements. Furthermore, the hinge connections are designed in such a manner that, starting from the basic state, the two rotational axes can be articulated relative to each other in that one of the rotational axis can be pivoted out of the plane.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the priority of PCT Application No. PCT / CH2009 / 000061, filed on Feb. 12, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention concerns a hinge assembly for connecting two vehicle parts to a vehicle that is capable of crab steering, has articulated frame steering and comprises articulating vehicle axles as well as a vehicle with articulated frame steering comprising such a hinge assembly according to the preambles of the independent claims.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Vehicles with articulated frame steering predominantly are used as construction or forest vehicles, for which a good maneuverability in cramped confines is crucial. In such vehicles two vehicle parts comprising in each case vehicle axles are connected by an articulated joint with each other. The change in direction is effected by a horizontal pivoting (“buckling”) of the vehicle parts with the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Furthermore can one of the two before mentioned structural elements, which can be rotated, together with one of the two before mentioned remaining (non-rotatable) structural elements, to which in each case it is directly connected by one of the hinge connections, starting from the basic state in which the hinge centers of the hinge connections are located in a common plane, be tilted with respect to the other two structural elements, i.e. with respect to the other structural element which can be rotated and to the other remaining structural element, in such a manner that the hinge center of the hinge connection, which connects said two tiltable structural elements, to both sides can be pivoted out of the plane defined by the hinge centers in the basic state without the hinge centers of the other three hinge connections having to leave this plane. From this it results the possibility of an articulation relative to each other of the rotational axis of the two structural elements which can be rotated.

[0015]With the hinge assembly according to the invention it becomes possible to form, without additional moveable assemblies, such as swivel joints and transversely displaceable connecting elements, together with two vehicle parts comprising vehicle axles a vehicle that is capable of crab steering, has articulated frame steering and comprises articulating vehicle axles, in that the two structural elements of the hinge assembly which can be rotated, in each case are connected with one of the two vehicle parts. Through this it becomes possible to provide and to service such vehicles at relative low costs. Furthermore, through this an especially compact design of such vehicles is made possible.

[0016]In a preferred embodiment of the hinge assembly between two of the structural elements stop means are arranged, which limit the ability of the hinge center of the hinge connection connecting the two tiltable structural elements to be pivoted out of the plane defined in the basic state by the hinge centers and therewith the articulating capability relative to each other of the rotational axis of the structural elements which can be rotated. This is meaningful in order to avoid operating states in which there exists an excessive articulating of these rotational axis, since with an increasing articulation the rigidity with respect to thrust forces of the frame formed by the structural elements and the hinge connections in a direction, which runs in the plane formed by the hinge centers in the basic state, decreases.

[0018]Also it is preferred that the stop means are formed between two structural elements which are directly connected which each other by one of the hinge connections. In this way a direct acting, robust limitation of the articulating ability relative to each other of the rotational axis of the structural elements which can be rotated can be realized.

[0023]In still a further preferred embodiment of the hinge assembly the four structural elements are connected by three hinge connections which are designed as ball joints and by one further hinge connection, which ensures the rigidity with respect to thrust forces of the frame formed by the structural elements and the hinge connections.

[0024]In that case it is furthermore preferred that this further hinge connection is designed in such a manner that as its sole degree of freedom it permits a rotation of the two structural elements connected by it relative to each other about a rotational axis which runs in the plane that is in the basic state defined by the hinge centers. Such an embodiment of the hinge assembly is cost-efficient and robust.

Problems solved by technology

However, the vehicle known today which permit an operation in crab steering mode as well as permit an articulation of the vehicles axles compared to simple vehicle with articulated frame steering or double articulated frame steering, respectively, have the disadvantage that in addition to the articulated joint or the double articulated joint, respectively, they need further moveable assemblies, resulting in higher manufacturing and maintenance costs and necessarily also in a larger vehicle length with a corresponding loss in maneuverability.

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